Nathair1: Thank you. Yeah, children have a funny way of knowing what's going on without actually knowing what's going on. The reasoning will be revealed, not in this chapter but the one after.
Enjoy
Clara laid on the bed with Luna and Sol next to her. Looking up, she saw her husband talking to the Spirit of the Ring before she frowned, "Iruma-kins?" Iruma looked back in confusion and arched a brow, "Can you bring Yumi to bed with us? I'd feel better if all our babies were with us tonight,"
Iruma smiled and nodded, "Sure Clara," he turned and walked over to the crib before carefully picking up the sleeping child and walked over to the bed, setting Yumi between her siblings.
Clara smiled down at the three as she lightly stroked Luna's hair and Iruma chuckled. Clara looked up and pouted, "What's so funny, Iruma-kins?"
"You," Clara hummed and arched a brow, "You're like a lioness protecting her cubs from a cheetah," Clara tilted her head to the side in confusion, "Two animals from the human world. Lions and Lionesses are known as the rulers of the animal kingdom and the cheetah is one of their natural enemies and all day you've been a little more overprotective of them than usual,"
"They're not taking our babies away, Iruma-kins," Clara frowned as she looked down at Luna and Sol as they turned on their sides, each wrapping an arm around Yumi, "They chose to leave Luna and Sol there, and we found them and mommy and the principal told us about the law and now they're our babies," Iruma took a deep breath as he climbed into bed and Ali faded back into the ring, "And why now? Why would they come looking for Luna and Sol after all this time, Iruma-kins?"
"Honestly I haven't the faintest idea, but if I had to guess, they either want to use them as free labor or they knew that we were part of the army that defeated the Six Fingers some time ago and somehow they found out they we found and adopted Luna and Sol and now they want some kind of glory…I don't know what they'll get out of it, Luna and Sol weren't anywhere near the battlefield," Clara moaned and pouted, "Get some sleep, honey. It'll do us no good if we pass out from exhaustion and they decide to show up again,"
Clara hummed and nodded before lying down with her arms wrapped around the three, "Goodnight Iruma-kins, goodnight babies,"
Iruma watched as Clara's back rose and fell at an even pace before he sighed and carefully leaned forward, lightly kissing the side of her head, "Goodnight honey," he looked down and patted the top of the children's heads, "Goodnight you three, daddy will see you tomorrow," he carefully climbed out of bed and quietly tiptoed out of the room.
Iruma walked down the hall before taking a deep breath, "Can't sleep, huh kid?" he looked back to see Jack standing behind him, "Can't say that I blame you. Those two showing up out of the blue, claiming to be Luna's and Sol's parents, the two overhearing something that they shouldn't have,"
"I don't know, Jack…Clara's been on edge all day and I can't blame her…she's got a promotion exam tomorrow and I'm worried she'll fail because of what's going on an-"
"Let's go, kid," Jack slapped his son-in-law on his back, leading him down the hall, "I know what can help you clam down a little," the two walked down the stairs to the foyer.
Iruma sat at the kitchen table and watched as Jack poured a dark liquid into two glasses before sliding on over to him. Iruma looked at the glass in front of him before looking at his father-in-law, "Jack, I'm only seventeen. I can't drink an-"
"One drink isn't going to kill you, Iruma," Jack sighed and sat across from him and took a drink, "I'm not going to lie…when I first learned you were originally human, I wanted to report you to Demon Border Patrol, but after Urara and I saved you and Clara stayed by your side that night, my wife gave us the simple rundown on everything…and I saw how happy you made my daughter,"
"Uh…Jack, what are you-"
"And then came the invasion of the Six Fingers…all of you kids and some of your teachers went to war with them…Clara ended up getting hurt and you broke through what you held onto to remain human…you spread your wings to save her and became a demon. And then shortly after, you two got married, before Yumi was born, your parents and that bastard who hurt Clara decided to show up, and instead of killing them, you two showed mercy and sent your parents back to the human world and Clara suggested we let Zoro go…and now you've got another challenge,"
Iruma narrowed his eyes and took a quick drink before setting down the glass, "These two…Talisa and Markov…they're determined…they claim that they're Luna's and Sol's parents and-"
"Clara's right…they're going to have a hell of a ride to get remotely close to Luna and Sol," Iruma sighed, shaking his head, "Clara's right…we're the ones who gave up sleep for Luna and Sol…we were there when they had nightmares, when they were sick, when they said their first word and took their first step…that was all us…they were nowhere to be found," Jack sighed as he watched as Iruma finished his drink in one go before standing up, "Thanks for the drink, Jack, I'll clean up an-"
"Go back to bed, Iruma, I'll handle the cleanup down here," Iruma looked at his father-in-law in confusion, "It's just two glasses, kid…go be with Clara and the kids," Iruma took a deep breath and nodded before turning around and began walking away, "Oh and Iruma?" he stopped and looked back, "Clara has a promotional exam tomorrow, right?" Iruma hummed and nodded, "What are you going to do?"
"I…I'm going to hope she does well and I'll keep an eye on Luna, Sol and Yumi and if those two demons decided to show up again, I'll use my rank to try and scare them," Jack hummed and arched a brow, "If I could, I'd take the kids and wait outside while Clara takes her test, but you know as well as I do that no one is allowed to do anything like that,"
"And why would you want to go?"
"I'm worried that they'll corner Clara on the way there or on the way home and hurt her…just to get Luna and Sol…but…I know Clara's strong…I just hope nothing happens and those two don't do anything stupid,"
"You know that if they do, there'll be hell to pay because me, my wife, the rest of our kids, your grandfather, that butler and you will be there," Iruma hummed and nodded, "Now get back to bed, kid. Clara's probably wondering where you're at," Iruma nodded again before turning and walking away.
Iruma walked into the room as Clara moaned and sat up. Rubbing her eyes, she looked up, "Iruma-kins? Where'd you go?"
"I went for a little walk," Clara frowned and Iruma sighed as he shook his head, "I didn't go anywhere…I just walked around the mansion for a bit…I talked with your dad and that was it," Clara pouted as Iruma walked over to the bed and laid down, "I swear Clara, nothing happened, and I didn't go anywhere…you should get some sleep, you've got a promotional exam tomorrow a-"
"Iruma-kins…what's going on? The last time you walked out like this…your mommy and daddy were here,"
Iruma took a deep breath ad shook his head, "This mess with these two demons…I needed to clear my head, your dad offered me a drink and we talked for a bit, I swear," he sat up, leaned over and lightly kissed her forehead before backing away, "I promise, honey…I didn't leave the mansion to look for those two,"
Clara sighed and slightly smiled, "Okay," she laid back down and closed her eyes, "Goodnight Iruma-kins. I love you,"
Iruma smiled as he laid down and closed his eyes, "Goodnight, Clara, I love you too," the two fell asleep with the three children between them.
Okay, so…I wanted this to be a reassurance chapter for Clara and the three and have a bonding moment between Jack and Iruma…I think it turned out okay…enjoy.
